{smcl} {* 24 Nov 2008/8 Dec 2008}{...} {hline} help for {hi:panelthin} {hline} {title:Identify observations for possible thinned panel dataset} {p 8 17 2}{cmd:panelthin} [{cmd:if} {it:exp}] [{cmd:in} {it:range}] , {cmdab:g:enerate(}{it:newvar}{cmd:)} {cmdab:m:inimum(}{it:#}{cmd:)} {title:Description} {p 4 4 2}{cmd:panelthin} identifies observations that would belong in a thinned panel dataset in which observations in each panel are at least a minimum time apart. The result is a new variable tagging observations in the thinned dataset by 1 and others by 0. {title:Remarks} {p 4 4 2}{cmd:panelthin} assumes {help tsset} data and automatically works separately on each panel in a panel dataset. {p 4 4 2}In essence, the first observation in each panel is selected, then the next after at least a minimum time, and so on. {p 4 4 2}If a thinned dataset is acceptable, then (provided that the main dataset is {help save}d elsewhere) {help keep} the set with observations tagged 1 in the new variable. {title:Options} {p 4 4 2}{cmd:generate()} specifies the name of a new variable to include tags for selected observations. It is a required option. {p 4 4 2}{cmd:minimum()} specifies the minimum acceptable spacing in the units of the time variable defining the panel. It is a required option. {title:Examples} {p 4 4 2}{cmd:. tsset id time}{p_end} {p 4 4 2}{cmd:. panelthin, min(5) gen(OK)}{p_end} {p 4 4 2}{cmd:. browse id time OK}{p_end} {p 4 4 2}{cmd:. keep if OK}{p_end} {title:Author} {p 4 4 2}Nicholas J. Cox, Durham University, UK{break} n.j.cox@durham.ac.uk {title:Acknowledgments} {p 4 4 2}This problem was suggested by Rajesh Tharyan on Statalist. {browse "http://www.stata.com/statalist/archive/2008-05/msg00772.html":http://www.stata.com/statalist/archive/2008-05/msg00772.html} {p 4 4 2}Leny Matthew signalled a bug in an earlier version. {title:Also see} {p 4 13 2}On line: help for {help tsset}